Is splenectomy successful in all hemolytic anemias?
NO. Splenectomy is generally reserved for those with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. In this the most common of the hemolytic anemias, antibodies are made against red blood cells which makes them appear abnormal to the spleen. The spleen then clears them from the circulation and destroys them. Removal of the spleen in this situation often returns the blood count back to near normal. About 60% of individuals with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia will have a long term elimination of the disease. Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria and drug induced hemolytic anemia do not usually respond to surgery. Therefore splenectomy is rarely advocated in the treatment of those diseases. Is splenectomy necessary in people who have sickle cell disease? Rarely is splenectomy required for people with sickle cell disease because the spleen shrinks during the disease. The abnormal shape of sickle red blood cells causes them to get stuck in small blood vessels. This stops the
